Development-led Architecture for Value and Deliverability

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Residential street view in Rugby featuring affordable housing and mixed-use apartment design — Rickett Architects

We work with developers, landowners and promoters to unlock the full value of their sites — through intelligent masterplanning, robust feasibility and commercially viable design.

From national care home operators to affordable housing specialists, we understand the pressures of policy, viability, and local politics. Whether you’re assessing a new opportunity or optimising a legacy site, our goal is simple: to help you reduce risk, gain consent and maximise long-term value.

Practical, planning-aware masterplanning

Most of our projects begin with a layout. We understand the pressures around land value, density, access and drainage — and shape masterplans that respond to both planning policy and on-the-ground reality.

We draw quickly, intelligently, and with enough depth to support acquisition, pre-apps, or full applications.

Strategic masterplan layout for residential development site in Unstone, showing numbered housing plots and access routes

Where We Add Value

Strategic Site Feasibility

01

Residential apartment design evolution diagrams showing context-aware architecture and site strategy — Rickett Architects

  • Rapid capacity testing and layout options

  • Constraints overlays (ecology, flood, access, heritage)

  • Affordable housing planning strategy

  • Housing mix testing

  • Care home feasibility (typically 60–70 bed threshold)

  • Site promotion and Local Plan support

  • Indicative access and movement diagram

View our Feasibility Packages

Planning-Aware Masterplanning

02

Annotated aerial masterplan showing public realm and access strategy near Manchester — strategic site planning by Rickett Architects

  • Support with Application Srategy

  • Policy-led layout development

  • Affordable Housing Planning Strategy

  • Density modelling and typology studies

  • Public/private amenity impact mapping

  • Massing and height strategy

  • Design that stands up to planning scrutiny

  • Historical context and conservation setting

Technical Design and Delivery

03

Technical detailing of brick and window interface for residential project in Nottingham— Building Regs drawing by Rickett Architects

  • Outline design coordination

  • Reserved Matters support

  • Vendor /buyer technical packs

  • Working Drawing production

  • Site Support during delivery

  • Coordination of third party consultants

  • Care home safeguarding and staffing layouts

  • Working drawings and regulatory compliance (Part L, M, B)

Supporting Documents

04

Residential development site plan showing affordable housing layout and access strategy — planning-led design by Rickett Architects

  • Clear & Concise Access Strategy

  • External levels Coordination and Rationalisation

  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) summaries

  • Refuse & Servicing Startegy

  • Utilities strategy and infrastructure coordination

  • Arboricultural and ecological input

  • Fire Strategy interface coordination

  • Delivery programme and phasing strategy

  • Daylight/sunlight and overshadowing checks

Team Coordination

05

Modern high density architecture with red brick façade and rooftop amenity — designed by Rickett Architects for Nottingham site

  • Consultant Scope Definition

  • Team Assembly & Procurement Advice

  • Meeting Management

  • Client Liaison & Reporting

  • Risk & Issue Tracking

  • Design Responsibility Matrix

Maximising Sites

  • Unlock it.

    RA In-house planning team

    From stalled planning to legacy layouts, we bring clarity to sites with potential.
    We’ll assess risk, test schemes, and structure a clear route to planning approval.

  • Refine it.

    RA Design Team

    Already have drawings or a masterplan? We’ll sharpen the numbers.
    We optimise layouts for value, policy alignment and delivery — not just aesthetics.

  • Maximise it.

    RA Technical Team

    We work with developers to turn awkward sites into profitable ones.
    From strategic infill to backland schemes, we help you get more out of every square metre.

Technical floor plan for carehome scheme — supporting building regs and layout optimisation for carehome provider
Sustainable carehome development with minimalist design and soft landscape integration — strategic site in Worcester, UK

Solving care-sector delivery challenges

We work with national care home operators to unlock challenging sites and deliver efficient, policy-compliant care facilities. Our role spans the full RIBA stages — from feasibility and planning through to technical design and delivery.

Typical problems we solve include maximising site capacity within planning constraints, navigating public consultation and policy hurdles, and achieving layouts that meet operational, staffing, and safeguarding requirements.

We’ve developed schemes that meet the 60–70 bed threshold most operators require to achieve viability, and understand the sensitivities around access, amenity, and staff efficiency that underpin successful care environments.

Lets unlock the potential of your site.

Whether you're exploring options or ready to build, we offer developer-focused architecture with clarity, strategy, and commercial awareness from day one.